1. CONNOTATIONS AND DENOTATIONS

2. A WORD’S DENOTATION IS ITS DICTIONARY DEFINITION. A WORD CAN ALSO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL OR THINK A CERTAIN WAY. THESE FEELINGS AND IDEAS ARE THE CONNOTATIONS OF A WORD. WORDS WITH THE SAME MEANING CAN HAVE DIFFERENT “SHADES OF MEANING”—THAT IS, THEY CAN BE UNDERSTOOD DIFFERENTLY.

3. BY DEFINITION, SYNONYMS HAVE THE SAME DENOTATION OR LITERAL MEANING, BUT ALMOST ALWAYS HAVE DIFFERENT CONNOTATIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE SYNONYMS OF “BOAT” INCLUDE SHIP, YACHT, DINGHY, AND FERRY. ALL THESE WORDS REFER TO THE SAME THING, BUT EACH ELICITS A DIFFERENT ASSOCIATION IN THE READER’S MIND. LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING SLIDES AND DECIDE WHICH WORD HAS POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE CONNOTATIONS. THE WORDS MEAN(DENOTATION) THE SAME OR ABOUT THE SAME, BUT MAKE US FEEL DIFFERENTLY WHEN WE HEAR THEM. (CONNOTATION)

4. Giggle is a synonym that can be used instead of laughed, what connotation does it have? Cackle is a synonym that can be used instead of laughed, what connotation does it have? giggle MY FRIEND LAUGHED AT THE JOKE HIS SISTER TOLD HIM.

5. Thrifty is a synonym that can be used instead of inexpensive, what connotation does it have ? Cheap is also a synonym that can be used for inexpensive, what connotation does it have? I have an inexpensive way to solve our problem.

6. THIS MATH PROBLEM IS DIFFICULT. Hard is a synonym that can be used instead of difficult, what connotation does it have? Challenging is a synonym that can be used instead of difficult, what connotation does it have?

7. UNCLE HENRY LIVES IN A HUT DEEP IN THE WOODS. Shack is a synonym that can be used instead of hut, what connotation does it have ? Cabin is a synonym that can be used instead of hut, what connotation does it have ?

8. I RECOGNIZED THE FAMILIAR SMELL OF MY SISTER’S COOKING. Stench is a synonym that can be used instead of smell, what connotation does it have ? Aroma is a synonym that can be used instead of smell, what connotation does it have ?

9. MY LITTLE SISTER IS VERY STRONG-WILLED ABOUT DOING THINGS FOR HERSELF. Determined is a synonym that can be used instead of determined, what connotation does it have ? Stubborn is a synonym that can be used instead of determined, what connotation does it have ?

10. MY MOM LIKES TO DRESS IN OLD CLOTHES. Ancient is a synonym that can be used instead of old, what connotation does it have ? Vintage is a synonym that can be used instead of old what connotation does it have ?

11. THERE WERE SEVERAL BUSY CHILDREN IN THE MUSEUM TODAY. Energetic is a synonym that could be used instead of busy. What connotation does it have? Wild is a synonym that could be used instead of busy. What connotation does it have?